Autobloghttp://www.autoblog.com
Autobloghttp://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gifAutobloghttp://www.autoblog.com
en-usCopyright 2015 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/13/pump-the-movie-wants-to-crush-americas-addiction-to-oil/http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/13/pump-the-movie-wants-to-crush-americas-addiction-to-oil/http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/13/pump-the-movie-wants-to-crush-americas-addiction-to-oil/#commentsFiled under: Green, Videos, Alternative Fuels, Fuel Efficiency, Green Culture, Emerging Technologies, Electric, Natural Gasif you've ever felt like going to the gas station was in some ways similar to a junkie visiting a dealer, we've got the movie for you. Pump: The Movie is coming to theaters next month and it looks like it's going to put the addiction to oil message front and center. We like the movie's take-no-prisoners tagline: "Some battles need bullets. This one needs tanks."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuele85electric vehicleelon muskflex-fuelflexfuelmethanolplug-in hybridpumppump the movieWed, 13 Aug 2014 12:45:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21079901/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2014/08/13/pump-the-movie-wants-to-crush-americas-addiction-to-oil/21079901/article-detail.xml21079901http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fdims-shared%2Fdims3%2FGLOB%2Fcrop%2F831x552%2B45%2B0%2Fresize%2F628x417%21%2Fformat%2Fjpg%2Fquality%2F85%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fhss%2Fstorage%2Fmidas%2F7cb1d4d7a76e142144bc20c117dec47d%2F200577375%2Fpump-the-movie-still.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fdims-shared%2Fdims3%2FGLOB%2Fcrop%2F831x552%2B45%2B0%2Fresize%2F628x417%21%2Fformat%2Fjpg%2Fquality%2F85%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fhss%2Fstorage%2Fmidas%2F7cb1d4d7a76e142144bc20c117dec47d%2F200577375%2Fpump-the-movie-still.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2013/06/24/cheap-metal-free-catalyst-could-replace-platinum-in-h2-fuel-cell/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/06/24/cheap-metal-free-catalyst-could-replace-platinum-in-h2-fuel-cell/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/06/24/cheap-metal-free-catalyst-could-replace-platinum-in-h2-fuel-cell/#commentsFiled under: Green, Emerging Technologies, HydrogenSome automakers want to get serious about bringing hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles to market if a big wall can be climbed - the one that puts the cost of H2 vehicles out of reach for some OEMs and at least $50,000 for others. That number could slide down thanks to researchers from South Korea, Case Western University and University of North Texas who have discovered an inexpensive and easily produced catalyst that could replace pricey platinum, the catalyst for the required oxygen-reduction reactions.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>engine downsizingengine efficiencyethanolmethanolThu, 04 Nov 2010 18:03:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21088154/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/04/study-turbocharged-alcohol-fed-direct-injection-engines-could-o/21088154/article-detail.xml21088154http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2010%2F11%2Fp100204.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2010%2F11%2Fp100204.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/china-turns-to-methanol-for-flex-fuel-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/china-turns-to-methanol-for-flex-fuel-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/china-turns-to-methanol-for-flex-fuel-cars/#commentsFiled under: Green, Ethanol, ChinaMethanol is an unusual alcohol. For one thing, it can be used in fuel cells instead of hydrogen. It is also used by homebrewers to make biodiesel. Alternatively, it can be used in internal combustion engines instead of gasoline (see: drag racing). In China, methanol has just been approved by the ministry for standards for use as a motor vehicle fuel. Like ethanol in the U.S., China now permits the chemical to be added to pure gasoline so that it makes up to 85 percent of the mixture. The U.S. has E85, China has M85. It's possible to make methanol from natural gas, wood, and coal. The downside? Methanol is less efficient than either gasoline or ethanol. For example, a car that gets 10 l/100 km (23.5 mpg) using gasoline would get 12.5 l / 100 km (18 mpg) on ethanol and 15 l / 100 km (15.5 mpg) on methanol.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinamethanolmethanol chinamethanol ethanolmethanol fuel cellMethanolChinaMethanolEthanolTue, 10 Nov 2009 18:57:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21091860/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/10/china-turns-to-methanol-for-flex-fuel-cars/21091860/article-detail.xml21091860http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F11%2F800px-methanol-3d-balls.pnghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F11%2F800px-methanol-3d-balls.pnghttp://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/nissan-to-deploy-methanol-fuel-cell-material-handling-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/nissan-to-deploy-methanol-fuel-cell-material-handling-equipment/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/nissan-to-deploy-methanol-fuel-cell-material-handling-equipment/#commentsFiled under: Green, Plants/Manufacturing, NissanNissan's Smyrna, Tennessee assembly plant will soon be cutting its CO2 emissions and improving productivity. The plant is retrofitting 60 material handling tugs that are used to move parts around with new methanol fuel cells. The tugs are currently fitted with lead acid batteries that have to be swapped out as they run down, a process that takes a technician 15-20 minutes each. A total of 35 man-hours a day are spent just replacing batteries. The fuel cell setup uses liquid methanol as a fuel and the operators will be able to refuel the tugs themselves in about 1 minutes.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinaflex-fuellotuslotus exigelotus exige 270elotus exige 270e tri fuelLotusExige270emethanolmethanol chinaMethanolChinayoungmanyoungman automotive groupWed, 06 May 2009 08:43:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21094001/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/06/lotus-exige-270e-tri-fuel-to-enter-production/21094001/article-detail.xml21094001http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F05%2Flotus_exige_270e.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F05%2Flotus_exige_270e.jpgMotor Trend's Top Ten Technologies have a decidedly green tint]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/i-motor-trends-i-top-ten-technologies-have-a-decidedly-green/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/i-motor-trends-i-top-ten-technologies-have-a-decidedly-green/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/i-motor-trends-i-top-ten-technologies-have-a-decidedly-green/#commentsFiled under: Green, Ethanol, Emerging TechnologiesLooking back on 2008, it seems that the biggest stories that shaped the automotive landscape had more to do with gas prices and economic conditions than the vehicles themselves. Regardless, there are quite a few new technologies that are just starting to make waves, and many of them are intended to reduce the world's use of petroleum and the resultant emissions. Proof positive can be seen in Motor Trend's list of the "Top Ten Tech Treasures" of 2008. For instance, the first two bits of technology praised by MT are the cellulosic ethanol processes being used by Coskata and Mascoma, while the third has to do with finding a suitable non-food crop for said ethanol. Ethanol not your style? Try methanol, which manages to hold down spots 4 and 5 in one form or another. There's five more entries on the list, and we don't want to spoil them for you, so we'll just mention that all but one have something to do with saving fuel or cutting emissions.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exige 270eExige270eflex fuelflex-fuelFlexFuellotuslotus exige 270elotus exige 270e tri fuelLotusExige270emethanoltri-fuelTue, 24 Jun 2008 09:14:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21098145/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/06/24/lotus-throws-its-weight-behind-methanol/21098145/article-detail.xml21098145http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F03%2Fexige-270e-tri-fuel-3-450.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F03%2Fexige-270e-tri-fuel-3-450.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/01/whence-the-pickup-truck-based-on-a-g-wiz/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/01/whence-the-pickup-truck-based-on-a-g-wiz/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/01/whence-the-pickup-truck-based-on-a-g-wiz/#commentsFiled under: Green, UK, Emerging Technologies, ElectricAt first we thought somebody out there was exercising their ninja photoshop skillz but then it occurred to us that those folks would probably not be busying themselves with the likes of the G-Wiz. No, this had to be the product of a mind so sick, so twisted, that it created the original Reva G-Wiz, on which this pick-em-up truck appears to be based, to begin with. Luckily, we live in the age of the internets and after sending out a correctly formatted query down a tube, back shot the hoped-for response.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ethanolflex-fuelgenevageneva-2008geneva-motor-showlotus exigemethanoltri-fuelSat, 01 Mar 2008 14:36:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21100138/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/03/01/geneva-08-lotus-exige-270e-tri-fuel-gas-ethanol-and-methanol/21100138/article-detail.xml21100138http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F03%2Fexige-270e-tri-fuel-3-450.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F03%2Fexige-270e-tri-fuel-3-450.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/02/robert-zubrin-talks-about-requiring-all-cars-to-be-flex-fuel-cap/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/02/robert-zubrin-talks-about-requiring-all-cars-to-be-flex-fuel-cap/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/02/robert-zubrin-talks-about-requiring-all-cars-to-be-flex-fuel-cap/#commentsFiled under: Green, Alternative Fuels, Ethanol, Green Daily, United StatesRobert Zubrin has new book on gaining petroleum independence by switching from imported oil to alcohol fuels. He wants Congress to require that all new cars and trucks built be flex-fuel capable. There's an interesting interview done by Glenn Reynolds and Helen Smith on their podcast. Zubrin certainly makes a good case that all new vehicles should be built with flex-fuel capability. More importantly, he wants to make sure that vehicles can run on any alcohol, including methanol or butanol.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>butanolethanolflex-fuelmethanolWed, 02 Jan 2008 18:36:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21101078/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/01/02/robert-zubrin-talks-about-requiring-all-cars-to-be-flex-fuel-cap/21101078/article-detail.xml21101078http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F01%2Fzubrin_energyvictory.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F01%2Fzubrin_energyvictory.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/02/will-requiring-all-cars-to-be-flex-fuel-capable-free-us-from-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/02/will-requiring-all-cars-to-be-flex-fuel-capable-free-us-from-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/02/will-requiring-all-cars-to-be-flex-fuel-capable-free-us-from-for/#commentsFiled under: Green, Technology, BudgetRobert Zubrin thinks so. Zubrin is an aerospace engineer and long-time advocate of manned missions to Mars. While going to Mars is a highly dubious proposition given the issues we need to deal with on our planet right now, making all gasoline engines flex-fuel capable as Zubrin promotes in his new book is probably a very good idea. The incremental cost of flex-fuel capability is only about $100 per vehicle and that would provide the ability to use any alcohol fuel including methanol and butanol. The corn ethanol that we use today will make little if any dent in our oil imports.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>butanolethanolflex-fuelmethanolWed, 02 Jan 2008 15:27:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21056219/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/01/02/will-requiring-all-cars-to-be-flex-fuel-capable-free-us-from-for/21056219/article-detail.xml21056219http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F01%2Fzubrin_energyvictory.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F01%2Fzubrin_energyvictory.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/12/china-investing-in-something-worse-than-bad-ethanol-methanol/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/12/china-investing-in-something-worse-than-bad-ethanol-methanol/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/12/china-investing-in-something-worse-than-bad-ethanol-methanol/#commentsFiled under: Green, Alternative Fuels, Ethanol, ChinaHere we're quite happy to report about progress on the so-called "Second Generation" biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol, which yield cleaner results than "First Generation" ones like corn ethanol. However, there is also something that the French site MoteurNature calls "Zero Generation" biofuel: methanol. Methanol can be considered even worse than first generation biofuels because it needs a lot of land and energy to be produced. The topic was brought up during the last China Synfuels Summit, held a couple of weeks ago.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flex-fuelm85methanolWed, 12 Dec 2007 19:44:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21101340/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/12/china-investing-in-something-worse-than-bad-ethanol-methanol/21101340/article-detail.xml21101340http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2007%2F12%2F6462.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2007%2F12%2F6462.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/07/evs23-autobloggreen-qanda-on-smart-fuel-cells-methanol-fuel-cell/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/07/evs23-autobloggreen-qanda-on-smart-fuel-cells-methanol-fuel-cell/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/07/evs23-autobloggreen-qanda-on-smart-fuel-cells-methanol-fuel-cell/#commentsFiled under: Green, Misc. Auto Shows, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Emerging TechnologiesSay "fuel cell" to someone in the auto industry and I bet you dollars to donuts that they'll think you're talking about hydrogen. Well, I'll make the bet unless you're speaking to Dr. Jens Müller or Dr. Peter Podesser of Smart Fuel Cells. These two men were in Anaheim for EVS23 to showcase their methanol fuel cells. The big selling point of these fuel cells, Podesser and Müller will tell you, is that all of the problems with the commercialization of fuel cells have been overcome by using methanol cartridges. Of course, the problem with methanol fuel cells is that they emit carbon dioxide along with water. The SFC line is that the CO2 is minimal, equivalent to the amount that comes from a baby's mouth over the same time period. Don't believe me? Give them a listen here (28 min, 19 MB). Podesser is the CEO of Smart Fuel Cell and Müller is SFC's chief technology officer, so they should know what these cells are capable of.